Weddings

All Saints Church is undoubtedly a very beautiful place for a Christian Wedding. At All Saints we welcome enquiries about Christian Marriage and preparation for the celebration of this important Sacrament. The following information will help inquirers to understand the processes involved in having their marriage ceremony celebrated at All Saints Church.

Who can get married in a Christian service? Preferably, both parties to the marriage should be baptised. The current canonical requirements of the Anglican Church of Australia allows a Christian Marriage Ceremony if one of the couple is baptised.

The wedding is not simply a 'ceremony'. Nor is the church building just an attractive backdrop for a colourful social occasion. At All Saints we emphasise the fact that a Christian wedding is primarily a sacrament of the Church, in which a couple receives God's grace to live together as man and wife. The church, as God's house, is the most appropriate place for a Christian couple to begin married life together.

The service in which a couple is married is a public statement by the couple that they are committing themselves to the Christian understanding of marriage. It is a service of prayer and blessing and an act of worship. As such, it is a joyful occasion accompanied by music, traditional ceremonies and celebration.

Can divorced persons be re-married?The Anglican Church upholds the sanctity of marriage. For a divorced person, however, a dispensation enabling the person to re-marry in church may be granted upon application. Divorced persons who would like to re-marry at All Saints are encouraged to discuss their situation with the Vicar.

How do we go about organising a wedding? Initial contact should be made with the Vicar who will arrange a first meeting. You will be required to bring copies of your birth certificates and your passports. A 'Notice of Intention' form, requiring your personal details, will be filled in by the Vicar. (These are requirements of the Commonwealth Government.)

Further meetings will be arranged as part of the preparations for the service and for marriage. Couples can also be referred to various pre-marriage courses. A rehearsal is normally held in the church the evening before the service.

Are there any 'do's and don't's' regarding the service? The Vicar will assist you with all details of the wedding service. A traditional wedding contains the beautiful customs and practices of 2000 years of Christianity. Plenty of choice and variety are possible and made available in the services of the Church.

How much will a wedding cost? The expenses relating to the actual wedding service are usually the least expensive of all the costs of a wedding. The fees are set by the Parish Council, the parish body which together with the priest deals with the day-to-day administration of parish life.

Currently (2016) the fees are:Use of church building = $800Celebrant = $300Organist = $300Verger = $70Total = $1470 (This includes a non-refundable deposit of $250).

If you would like a Choir to sing at your wedding, this should be discussed and arranged via the Vicar, with the Director of Music.

The celebrant's fee is not for officiating at the marriage service, but for preparing the legal documents required by Commonwealth law, and for the time involved in preparation. The fee is used for ministry-related expenses.

Can other clergy be involved in the wedding?The Vicar normally celebrates all weddings at All Saints but other Anglican clergy may officiate on request. Clergy of other denominations are welcome to participate in readings or prayers, or preach if requested, but they do not officiate.

Other mattersOther details of your wedding can be discussed at the first interview with the Parish Priest, or at any other time he is available. Please do not hesitate to ask if you are uncertain about any matters.